Top 8 crackers tested
It may be that the simple list of ingredients doesn’t challenge the digestive system, or perhaps it’s the crunch followed by a satisfying creaminess in the mouth, but sometimes, in sickness and in health, there is something comforting about a good cracker.
And with butter, it’s hard to beat the flavour — a little saltiness and a toastiness.
Crackers have come a long way from the basic Jacob’s and Boland’s varieties, and now come with all manner of seeds and nuts to add further crunch and interest.
While most of the ingredients we examined for today’s survey are simple, we can still find palm oil.
Economical for manufacturers, it is far too often used at a huge sacrifice to the environment where it is harvested. I would prefer to pay a few cents more for sustainable ingredients.
Crackers suit just about all types of cheeses, but simple, sliced tomatoes are delicious, as well as the wide variety of hummus, tapenade, thinly sliced cucumber with a sprinkle of paprika, or try blending some seasonal wild garlic leaves with any type of nuts, olive oil and grated hard cheese.
Simple!
Whatever cracker you choose, there is some protein in all of them to keep hunger away.
Most have very little sugar, not many saturated fats, and a little fibre.
Not bad for something that tastes so delicious.
This classic cracker has a commendably short list of ingredients with good protein at 9.5% to keep hunger at bay. However, they contain palm oil. Liked by all tasters. Perfect with butter and/or cheddar with a lick of chutney.
These six cellophane wrapped packs of four crackers in a box — handy for work and school lunches — also come in a better value pack (if you eat them quickly) of 300g for €1.99.
8.5
Rye flour of 30% is paired with unbleached wheat flour and, commendably, rapeseed oil.
The1% poppy, sunflower, linseeds and some sea salt make square crackers with a nice short list of wholesome ingredients. Zero sugars are welcome, and they have a substantial bite suited to a wide range of cheeses.
8.75
It’s difficult to see any difference between this brand and Carr’s water biscuits (€2.29 for 125g), so these appear to be particularly good value. Nicely crisp, they are bland enough to take a wide variety of toppings.
1.8% sugars from less desirable glucose syrup, Carr’s has 1.6% sugars, with no mention of the source. Palm oil is used in both brands. Liked by tasters already familiar with them.
7.75
Sunflower and no palm oil here gets these crackers an extra mark, counterbalanced by a high 7.1% sugars from added sugar.
Protein at 11% is decent, so a little tomato on these could provide a balanced snack. Not substantial, but tasty.
6.75
Lots of nuts and fruit in these light, loaf-shaped dark crackers which are gluten and wheat-free. Rice, potato, tapioca, maize and buckwheat flours provide interesting tastes, and the hazelnuts provide a decent crunch.
11.2% sugars is high from added sugar, treacle and the dried fruit, as well as buttermilk, but it’s worth it for a decent taste for coeliacs who appreciate this quite expensive treat.
8.75
Black foods are fashionable this year, and the charcoal added is nothing to worry about. It is thought to bind toxins in the body so they can be excreted. However true this is, the crackers were enjoyed by tasters.
Compared to other samples, they were a little heavier and less crisp. With a decent amount of protein at 13.8% and high salt at 2.35%, some tasters preferred M&S rye crackers (€3.20).
7.5
Quite a fatty feel, but nicely crunchy and tasting of black pepper, these need a bland, creamy cheese for balance.
Tasters thought them a little over-peppered for most cheeses but, while not wholesome, liked the crispness. With 8.1% protein, a good price.
7
Made from a wonderfully shortest list of ingredients, there is 58% wholemeal flour, 25% buttermilk, 16% butter and sea salt.
These have become an Irish classic, solid and wholesome. While not very crisp, they are ideal for richly flavoured cheeses.
8.5
